If you were using those typical old dry irons for ages and now want to shift from heavy hand-aching ironing to an easier steam iron. Then let’s get you aware of how to use a steam iron for beginners.
Steam irons are multipurpose irons that ease your ironing experience to a wider extent. It has different functions for different levels of wrinkled fabrics. For instance; a steam iron can be used as dry iron for less wrinkled clothes or you can switch it to a steam mode for tough wrinkles to loosen the fibers of the fabric and you can even spray water on cloth for even stubborn wrinkles.
The trick to deal with wrinkled clothes
That’s how most of us deal with the kind of fabric wrinkles that we face daily. Every fabric material demands individual treatment for eliminating wrinkles or making perfect creases. The ideal method of forming right creases or pleats is always evident to be dry ironing but when it comes to the variation within fabric types, the procedures begin to differ. For instance, a cotton fabric can be better pressed if it’s not dried completely after washing or spinning. Half-wet or moisturized cotton fabric is much easier for dry ironing. This eliminates wrinkles to 100%.
Below is a suggested key to understanding the trick to easy ironing or wrinkle-free clothing.
| ● Eliminate soft creases or wrinkles | ● Simple ironing or simple steaming |
| ● Remove heavy wrinkles | ● Steam ironing |
| ● Vanish tough & stubborn wrinkles | ● Spray and dry ironing combo. |
Steam irons have thermostat adjustments that suggest you the appropriate usage according to fabric type (more on that later). We will be breaking it down in the steps section.
How to use a steam iron for beginners (step-by-step)!
If the instruction manual didn’t help you out, then reading our post will surely sort out your queries. Here are all the steps enlisted below to help you begin with your hefty steam iron.
Step 1 – Basic Preparations for Beginners
- Start off by filling the water tank with your steam iron. Better follow the instructions given in the manual because each appliance has its own features and specifications. Therefore, just to be on the safe side, one must give at least one read to the manual.
- One major reason for stressing this so much is that some steam irons have a removable water tank that is specifically designed for easy refills. While others can not be separated from the iron and one has to grab the entire iron for refilling purposes.
- Take care of the maximum amount of water that a steam iron allows. Most of them have a max-point directed on the tank. Also, be careful of the type of water suggested in the manual. Some brands suggest distilled water for the steam irons while others suggest tap water. Using the recommended one can save you from bad consequences.
- After filling the tank insert the tank back into the iron or else plug in the iron.
Step 2 – Thermostat Preparations for Beginners
- Adjusting the temperature setting is the second step after plugging in the iron. And believe us when we say it’s not rocket science.
- Check the garment tag or label to see what temperature settings or what kind of ironing is suggested for the type of fabric you are going to iron. This is because each piece of clothing has a different treatment requirement. The delicate clothes can burn out or tear up in case of dry ironing that’s why such type of clothing is always recommended to be steamed only.
- After checking the recommended temperature, set your steam iron’s thermostat to the right setting and you are good to go.
- Tip-1: Almost all the iron’s thermostat settings showcase the appropriate amount of heat or steam for different fabric materials. If the clothing piece does not have a precautionary tag or label on it then one can choose the suitable temperature set-up by figuring out the fabric material and suggested temperature from the iron itself.
- Tip-2: Some of the irons have a led light that indicates the heated soleplate and turns off when it reaches the desired temperature. Such steam irons are very helpful in avoiding any damage to your clothing. Once the light turns off, and the iron is hot, turn on the steam feature option.
Step 3 – Ironing Begins!
- Spread the piece of clothing or fabric, whatever you want to iron now, on the ironing board. Now iron the cloth as you usually would, moving the iron in the right direction of the fabric fibers.
- Tip-3: A smooth, sturdy, and even surface is appropriate for ironing. And if someone doesn’t have an ironing board, any flat surface with a smooth heavy cloth over it, can work perfectly fine.
- Once you start ironing the steam will start releasing automatically. Iron clothing for as much time as it will take to eliminate the wrinkles and not with the intention to dry it out. Leave the ironed cloth slightly damp.
- Tip-4: There are some steam irons that feature vertical steaming options. It depends on the cloth, if direct contact with the soleplate can harm the fabric then hang your cloth and steam it with iron from a little distance. Or else lift the iron to a distance and steam the cloth spread already over the ironing board.
Step 4 – Spray Function
- Spray function is specifically included in steam irons for stubborn, tough, and not easy-to-eliminate wrinkles. But on some clothes, spraying can leave some undesired spots so be certain that the fabric won’t be damaged by spraying. And this can be double-checked by checking out the garment label again.
Step 5 – Tips to last the steam iron longer than it usually would!
- Tip -5: Set the iron on its heel whenever putting it down.
- Once done with the ironing session, unplug the iron, and empty the water tank very carefully while the iron is still hot.
- Tip-6: Once the tank is empty, put the iron back on its heel to cool down. When it’s fully cool, roll the cord loosely around the iron or tuck it in (if you are using retractable cord or cordless ones) and put it back in its designated spot.
- Tip-7: Do not iron directly on buttons or zippers or any other metal portion of the clothing. This can melt the buttons or can scratch the soleplate.
- Tip-8: If it’s a dark-colored garment that one wants to press then better press the garment from the wrong side to protect the color.
- Tip-9: Don’t ever mix scents or fabric softeners in the water tank. This will leave dirty spots and stains on the fabric. Use only tap or distilled water.
- Tip-10: Lastly, keep the hot irons or cords away from the reach of the children.
Rundown-How to use a steam iron for beginners!
We made sure by our post that if you haven’t read the instruction manual that came along with your steam iron even then you will be able to know every bit of your appliance after skimming through our article. And will slay your ironing experience just like experts.